I will give it a go even if I am having a late start. I just got my workshop back up and functional, so I may very well be able to get one going in time.

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When asked how long something will take, always tell them longer than what you think it will take. That way if something goes wrong you have time to fix it and if everything goes smoothly then you look like a miracle worker. - Scotty

A simple solution for a simple problem. A jar from our provisions used as a candle holder with gravel to stabilize, and rigged so that it can be held out in front to the intrepid explorer via a stick or machete, or as shown, both.

rummaging through camp, I found the cook's coachlight, but the meager candle inside was of little use.using a bit of rare earth and some old linen, I was able to cobble together a mantle that increased the light output a hundred fold! it is a bit fragile and so I have a few in reserve, along with a handfull of candles. the back of the lantern is mirrored with a bit of tin from the foodstuffs, so as not to blind myself while delving.the cook was quite upset about letting go of his only good light but he came around when I promised that I would supply him with a few mantles for it when I return the lantern.

the lantern is a bay of E find that originally used a simple votive candle for mood lighting.I frosted the glass and converted it to LEDs with the guts from a cheap plastic camping light.

the lantern will be used in camp for civil war events so I wanted to keep the modifications simple.I have a second lantern I want to convert with a flourescent camp light, there should be enough room in it to do it. should make for an excellent lightsource for playing cards.

While travelling in the Andes it is always advisable to have items such as a hand-warmer on hands at all times in case one gets lost. It is amazing how cold it gets on the mountain tops. One day while out alone, away from camp, I discovered a passageway within the rocks. Taking my handwarmer and removing the relatively low light piece, using tin foil I had wrapped some provisions in, and a prayer candle given to us by a witch doctor to make an offering to the mountain, I was able to continue my exploration without having to return to camp.

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"I'm very drunk and I intend on getting still drunker before this evening's over." -Rhett Butler

Since the GC#8 has fizzled out a bit (deadline went by 3 weeks ago, last post in the thread about 4 weeks ago) I am proposing a new challenge. Now I'm going to make it more interesting for people to join by adding a small prize for the winner: a 3 month Pro membership of instructables.com!

For future Challenges, do get in touch with me regarding some more/larger pro memberships to give out as prizes!

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Lets upgrade this conversation to realtime, join me in the chatroom - #brassgogglesMetal surface on a fragile skin.

Just an update: Near completion of project. Just a bit of fusion and fishing line, a dab of crushed crystal and installation of the high pressure regulator and should be finished. If it works well enough, check the night sky at about 90 degrees N lattitude and 30 degrees longitude. If I can get the disbursement field right, those pesky satellites should be okay.

After searching through hundreds of shops, sites, antique stores and garbage cans we threw up our hands and said Eff IT and made our own lights from assorted parts ... and a little bit of fancy pants woodworking.

The barrel insulators are from an electric fence of which I had become enthralled, the standoff insulators are from the old knob and tube wiring. The distribution boxes are crafted from walnut with pressed brass covers. All of the brass bits were old or hand patina. The brass electrodes are 'hot' ... the real deal (great for frying moths). The wire is reproduction cloth covered. The big light support box is for an antique carved wood chandelier It's actually quite safe due to quick blow fuses and being 18 feet from the floor.

That's beautiful Birdnest. As an electrician, it makes me shudder just a little, but like you say, as long as it's up high it's safe enough. I love the look of it. It gives the ceiling a wonderful charm. I wish I had a place that was suitable for such a thing.

Oh my! Um.. I must say that from a steam-punk perspective that those lights are really cool. From the perspective of a electrician (my trade) they are potentially Very Very Scary! There is a reason we no longer use knob and tube wiring. It defiantly looks like you knew what you are doing at least from these pics, but I still shudder every time I see old knob and tube bits and pieces.

Also time is running out for this challenge. I had better finish mine and post it up for consideration.

ps.. lol A fellow electrician beat me to commenting on the knob and tube.. well I am glad to see that I wasn't being silly with the fact that seeing that old stuff gives me shudders.

Years ago, I rewired my old Victorian house and removed the knob and tube wiring ... what a rats nest of tangled bits ready to shock the snot out of you.

This setup is not real knob and tube, per se in that the boxes are fused distribution points (there's inline quick-trip breakers in the boxes ... turn off to reset). It's more of an extension cord on porcelain standoffs. Pretty much in the same vein as pendant lighting on cables. I'd only recommend the 'hot studs' if they're fused and way out of reach and at the same time open for the sake of cleaning. I'd bet a mousy summarily zapped would trip the fuse before catching fire

Right now I'm sorting out a hum in the fans. I'm thinking that the dimmers don't like each other and are creating AC harmonics. bastards.

As our esteemed electricians have noted ... Don't do this unless you know what your doing, or at least limit your voltage to 12vdc ... with fuses.

Having exhausted our expedition's supply of candles and matches until reaching the next trading post, I turn to our group's geological specialist and procure a small tube of Phosphorous, which glows when exposed to oxygen. I then secure the tube inside a brass lantern. Finding the resulting dim glow to be unsatisfactory, I amplify its luminescence with a large faceted crystal stone that I had previously obtained from a traveling merchant, who claimed that it had been plucked from an ancient statue of a deity in a long-forgotten temple in the Far East. The reflective crystal diffuses the light of the phosphorous beautifully, and I proceed into the depths of the cave.

On our way up the mountain we stumbled across an abandoned Vanship. It had obviously been there a long time as it was severely rusted and unable to fly. The reactor however appeared to be in fairly good condition and its claudia levels were still high. Not wanting to waste the find, I managed to salvage one of the valves to use as a light whilst exploring the cave.

the glowing is from an old metal halide bulb I drilled and filled with tonic water. There is an array of ultraviolet leds built into the top of the unit which illuminates the tonic water causing it to fluoresce.

Well I made the deadline but went entirely way over budget for this project. All materials used were on hand and costs may have come to two dollars or less. The expenditures that really put it over the top was the hiring of replacement technicians and the constant rebuilding of the R&D facilities. The government can really be a pain in the ass about 'requirements' but that's a different story and so what if several acres are no longer supporting life for the next few eons. And damn that coalition of neighbors trying to sue me for making their pets easier to find in the dark, no gratitude at all. Anyway, the last iteration of the project was a resounding success, more or less. After some last minute tweaking and a minor adjustment or two we (edit: just me, now) finally got the disbursement field to a suitable dimension within our own time/space continuum. The patent(s) have not come back from the government yet but I have received some rather good news about going abroad with my project and demonstrating its use to certain areas in the Middle East. The government says it's a secret and want to surprise the guests. The only drawback to this is they are adamant about me going alone and to secure the secrecy, the transport will be operated remote controlled. So before I leave on this epic adventure I am posting images of the last prototype. I apologize for the quality of the pictures but strange things happen to ALL electronics when they get too close. Enjoy and wish me luck!

This device I'll call the L.I.G.H.T. (Lumination In Good and Hard Times),although I'm not sure the term "light" for lumination well ever catch on....Anyway,the materials: some scrap copper pipes and fittings you found in an abandoned trading post,also from there are the pieces of perforated sheet metal,the glass vial was generously donated by the medical officer in the expedition.The heart of the device is a mysterious round object with wires and a cog in the centre(this was found in an inorganic gray box with a lid and glass plate under it...),when you spin the cog a tingling sensation can be experienced while holding the wires......interesting.....it also can be used to luminate little bulbs.....

I've been terribly busy with work and the like the past few days, sorry about that, chaps! Let's have the competition run for a few more days so I can give it the time it deserves. I have a few more busy days ahead, so let's move the deadline to Friday. I should have plenty of time then!

I didn't even see this contest till today, but it's not too late!! This past week I completed The Captains Lantern, and I believe it qualifies for entry. Backstory? In 1873, Captain Lucretius Rockwell sailed around the world and kept a dutiful log of his travels. This lantern lit his daily report and kept him companion through many long and stormy nights.

So you are going to keep the contest running for a few more days? Excellent! I haven't gotten a chance to work on my entry to to getting a new job, but I do hope I will have my project done soon! (I should have time to finish it this Tuesday maybe sooner I hope.) I am working on a small portable light that will double as a flashlight/spotlight and a signaling light. I may also make it also work as a splash/work light.

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I strive to combine my love for art, steampunk and music in everything I create.....

I've been terribly busy with work and the like the past few days, sorry about that, chaps! Let's have the competition run for a few more days so I can give it the time it deserves. I have a few more busy days ahead, so let's move the deadline to Friday. I should have plenty of time then!

I appreciate the leniency, sir. I was wrenched off the project by other work shortly after cutting the base for it, and haven't hadd leisure to work on it since. I popped in to post an apology, but now I might have time to squeak in an entry.

The Aether Lamp (Patent pending) uses Quartz Crystals that have been specially conditioned by your truly so that they react incandescently to the aether itself! No need to change Batteries or replace candles The Aether Lamp (Patent pending) is everlasting and provides a lovely glow to light your way in any dark spot that you may find yourself.

COMING SOON!

From your Fiends at Aether Academy Labs! "Mad Science For the Masses!"